(New York Post) A nightmare turned into a reality for an Ohio man who was alarmed to hear weird noises coming from his genitals.
The unidentified 72-year-old, who heard a “hissing’” noise, has been diagnosed as the first person in the world with a “whistling scrotum,” according to the alarming new study published in the American Journal of Case Reports.
The man — out of breath with a swollen face — was rushed to his local emergency room complaining about his bizarre condition, the report said.
An X-ray of the man’s chest revealed that he had “excessive” amounts of air floating within his body, causing his lungs to collapse. If left untreated, this could have permanently damaged his heart and lungs function, potentially leading to death, doctors reported.
Later, the primary source of the man’s strange whistling was discovered to be an
open wound on the left side of his scrotum. The injury, leftover from testicle surgery
to reduce swelling five months earlier, allowed some trapped air to escape.
His shortness of breath and swollen face were also due to complications, the report said. Two plastic tubes were inserted into his chest to drain the excess air.
Dr. Brant Bickford and colleagues wrote that he was transferred to another hospital
for further treatment. His condition deteriorated further, with the amount of air
trapped between his lungs and the chest wall increasing, which compelled doctors to add
a new chest tube.
American Journal of Case Reports.
